Most people first encounter the word "feminist" as an insult. They think feminists dislike men, burn bras, crave power, and want to dismantle the "traditional" family. At least that's the experience of the successful Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Whether arguing with a friend during her teenage years or writing about domestic violence in her novels, she always encountered someone who labeled her a feminist — and it was never a compliment. In her book essay "Feminism is for Everybody," Adichie grapples with the legacy and image of feminism. For her, feminism is not a struggle for women's rights but an effort for a better world for everyone. Men are also trapped in the cage of gender stereotypes. The conservative notion of masculinity in the twenty-first century often prevents them from forming quality relationships and expressing their true selves. For Adichie, feminism is a way to break down the stifling barriers between people.
